Outdoor Adventures Every North Carolinian Should Try: Central NC

Writer:

Katie Quine

Videographer:

Erin Reitz

Kayak along the Haw River
Even in the Piedmont, you don’t have to travel far to get off the grid. Head to the unincorporated community of Saxapahaw, situated between Chapel Hill and Graham, for an on-the-water adventure. The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company not only rents boats and necessary equipment, but also offers special trips revolving around stargazing, picnicking, and brunch.

Saddle up
Enjoy an afternoon of galloping and gallivanting around the family-owned Happy Trails Farm. The number of people who can ride horseback at one time is kept small, which ensures an intimate experience with these beautiful and well-cared-for animals. Children as young as three can ride in a buddy saddle with their parents, and there are on-site picnic tables where the whole family can sit around for a packed lunch.

Go rock climbing
Challenge yourself to a rock-climbing adventure at one of several mountains across central North Carolina, including Crowders Mountain, Stone Mountain, and Pilot Mountain. Capstone Climbing & Adventure provides all of the equipment and guidance needed. The views from the top are all the more worth it when they’re well earned.

A message from our sponsor:

Celebrating over 40 years of fall adventures, Great Outdoor Provision Co. calls North Carolina home. This Raleigh-based specialty retailer, known for their wood floors and friendly staff, offers the very best in outdoor equipment and apparel. In addition to being a great place to purchase camping equipment, Great Outdoor Provision Co. is where you can get information and meet other people who are excited about getting outside. See their staff at play in the video above. Ask about their curated collection of hiking trails, paddle trips, and fishing adventures next time you stop by one of their 9 locations in North Carolina and Virginia. The company is also committed to the support of youth leadership programs and local conservation efforts like the Mountains-To-Sea Trail. Learn more at greatoutdoorprovision.com.

Tackle the same rapids as world-class athletes
Charlotte isn’t the first place where you’d necessarily expect to find Class II and III rapids, but they’re here at the man-made U.S. National Whitewater Center. In fact, Olympic athletes competing in whitewater slalom racing train here. If you’re not a pro, that’s no problem. Quick-witted and knowledgeable raft guides will teach you all you need to know for a successful voyage, but nothing will quite prepare you for how soaked you’ll be afterwards.

Camp at the Uhwarrie National Forest
Perhaps the oldest mountain range in North America no longer stands as tall as it once did due to years of erosion, but the Uhwarries’s proximity to both Charlotte and the Triad still makes for a great weekend getaway. Ample trees provide plenty of shade during the day and are perfect for strapping up a hammock at night. Listen quietly for Bigfoot, who is rumored to lurk in this neck of the woods.